Hon. Muneer Mulaffer, M.P.
Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs
Profession: Teacher
Speeches 39 #118 of 225·#62 in party
Attendance 7/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Religion & Culture 17 speeches
Last spoke 9 April 2026 in Adjournment
Activity by sitting
39 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
39 speeches- 9 April 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government had made progress in investigating the Easter Sunday attacks and welcomed Opposition acknowledgement of that process, while criticizing political figures associated with earlier narratives about the attacks. He argued that the attacks were preceded by preventable governance failures, communal polarization after 2009, and incidents such as Dharga Town in 2014, which he said had State patronage. He contrasted Sri Lanka’s response with New Zealand’s handling of the Christchurch attack, urging political leadership that isolates perpetrators without stigmatizing entire communities. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionReligion & CultureJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 19 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Muneer Mulaffer criticized Opposition claims about economic competence and accusations regarding possible festive-season price and fuel increases, arguing that global war and economic instability require necessary government measures. He defended the Government’s neutrality policy and humanitarian stance in international conflict, stating that attacks on civilians or economically significant sites cannot be condoned. He also condemned attempts to politicize religious events such as the President’s Iftar and urged attention to food, fuel, and security while discouraging fearmongering, racism, and communal suspicion in politics and media. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic and Security Crisis Foreign AffairsReligion & Culture Read →
- 6 March 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer defended the post-“Ditwah” Emergency as a measure to restore normalcy after cyclone damage, such as disrupted rail services, rather than to suppress the Opposition. He urged political unity amid global conflict risks, welcomed the President’s statement of Sri Lanka’s neutral and humane position following the attack on an Iranian vessel, and said no country should violate another’s sovereignty or attack civilians. He criticised attempts to politicize the Iranian incident, noting the importance of protecting Sri Lanka’s interests given the large number of Sri Lankan workers in the Middle East. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Foreign AffairsLaw & OrderReligion & Culture Read →
- 3 March 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister condemned the conflict in the Middle East, arguing that violations of sovereignty and military action cannot resolve disputes and should be replaced by dialogue and diplomacy. He said the Government is monitoring and supporting the safety of over one million Sri Lankans working in the region, whose families and remittances are important to Sri Lanka. He warned that the war could have economic and social repercussions for Sri Lanka, especially after its recovery from bankruptcy, and criticized attempts to create panic over fuel supplies or gain political advantage from the situation. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Security & DefenceForeign AffairsReligion & Culture Read →
- 18 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Muneer Mulaffer seconded the motion before the House. The question was then put and agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi presided. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 February 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government had a five-year mandate and had not promised to fulfil all policy pledges within one year, in the context of the debate on abolishing MPs’ pensions. He rejected media claims attributed to an SJB MP about appointments to Wakf and related bodies, saying any specific allegations should be addressed through corrective action rather than casting suspicion on the Muslim community. He stated that the Shura Council had not yet been appointed and that proposed nominations and any past irregularities would be reviewed to strengthen the Wakf Board. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionReligion & Culture Read →
- 5 February 2026 AI summary Muneer Mulaffer responded to Rishad Bathiudeen’s reference to his political conscience, stating that the public was aware of Bathiudeen’s past political conduct. He said Bathiudeen had acknowledged that course of action and tabled a related court judgment for Bathiudeen to read. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Religion & CultureParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 January 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister argued that the proposed education reforms are the result of long-standing discussions rather than a new NPP initiative, and said reforms are necessary to reduce pressure on children, address school disparities, and expand equitable access to subjects such as science for rural students. He criticized past governments and the Opposition for failing to improve education over decades while now questioning school facilities and reform preparedness, noting that concept papers had been publicized and MPs briefed. Citing rising school dropout figures from 2019 to 2024, he said implementation should proceed while identifying and correcting shortcomings, with government responsibility for improving infrastructure, technology access, and fair opportunities for all children. Adjournment Debate: Comprehensive Educational Transformation Process Parliamentary ProcedureEducation Read →
- 20 January 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer rejected Opposition claims that officials were responsible for delays to the Central Expressway, arguing that contractor non-payment arose from the previous Government’s bankruptcy and mismanagement. He defended the Government’s poverty relief efforts, particularly Aswesuma, and said adjustments would be made to reflect disaster impacts while ensuring responsible use of public funds. He also linked poverty alleviation to education reform, criticizing opposition to reforms by politically motivated actors and stressing the need for education to help break the cycle of poverty. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Cost of LivingPublic FinanceEducation Read →
- 3 December 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister conveyed the Government’s condolences for lives lost in the disaster and acknowledged the efforts of the Tri-Forces, Police, officials, religious leaders and civil society in rescue and relief work. He criticized the spread of rumours and politicization during the crisis, including claims intended to create panic over dam spill gates, and noted that recommendations made after the 2004 tsunami had not been fully implemented. He said the current Government had convened district-level Disaster Management Committees, including in Gampaha, and welcomed international assistance while calling for national unity in recovery efforts. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Security & DefencePublic Finance Read →
- 17 November 2025 AI summary Muneer Mulaffer emphasized national integration as essential to Sri Lanka’s recovery, linking past conflict, the Easter attacks, tourism decline, and economic hardship to the need for peace and reconciliation. He cited mechanisms such as the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, the Office on Missing Persons, and the Office for Reparations, and argued that public representatives should reduce tensions rather than exploit communal incidents. He also highlighted foreign remittances, tourism, international agreements, and new partnerships, including a recent MoU at the Saudi Chamber Summit, as part of efforts to attract investment and rebuild the economy. He urged the Opposition to use the Committee Stage debate on Votes to raise concrete shortcomings and proposals. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionReligion & CultureForeign Affairs Read →
- 15 November 2025 AI summary Raised a point of order to clarify that Muslim representatives have been appointed in relation to the Department of Archaeology, naming Prof. Hussainmiya of South Eastern University and Prof. Farzana Haniffa of the University of Colombo. He added that suitable and qualified persons would also be selected and appointed to other committees. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Parliamentary ProcedureReligion & Culture Read →
- 14 November 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer defended the Budget, specifically the Rs. 200 attendance incentive for estate workers, and argued that opposing the Budget would signal opposition to relief for a community central to Sri Lanka’s tea industry. He said earlier Opposition warnings about economic collapse had not materialized, and maintained that the Government was rebuilding investor confidence, restarting development, and managing capital expenditure responsibly. He also responded to criticism over vehicle allocations, stating that procurement was intended to improve State and local authority services after years of underinvestment. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Public FinanceEmploymentReligion & Culture Read →
- 12 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Muneer Mulaffer seconded the motion before the House. The question was put and agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Chanaka Madugoda took the Chair. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 October 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister rejected claims that the Health Minister advised patients to buy unavailable medicines privately, stating that funds and mechanisms exist for hospitals to procure medicines during shortages. He defended the Government’s health policy and the regulations under the NMRA Act as measures intended to improve access to medicines and reduce public hardship, while criticizing past handling of substandard medicines. He also linked the debate to broader calls for national unity, urging against religious or ethnic division and calling for peace and development. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Religion & CulturePublic FinanceHealthcare Read →
- 9 October 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister argued that past governments used fear and communalism to retain power and failed to build trust after the war, leading to economic collapse and stalled development. He said the current government is restoring domestic and international credibility, restarting delayed infrastructure, education and health projects, and taking stronger action against narcotics and organized crime. He also highlighted growth in exports, services and tourism, including the “Ruhunuring” initiative, and said further development programmes are being prepared, including in the North. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Continued Discussion Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & OrderPublic Finance Read →
- 7 October 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the Convention against Doping in Sport (Amendment) Bill, arguing that anti-doping measures are necessary to ensure fairness in increasingly competitive professional sport, while noting that some athletes may inadvertently use banned medicines for medical reasons. He said sports development also requires grassroots infrastructure and financial support for athletes, referring to proposed facilities in the North, including an international stadium in Jaffna, and defending the Rs. 10,000 stipend for athletes. He also raised a request from Sri Lankans in Saudi Arabia to resume a direct Colombo–Jeddah air service, particularly for Hajj, Umrah and urgent family travel, and said discussions were under way with SriLankan Airlines, Saudi authorities and relevant Ministers. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sport (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading InfrastructureForeign AffairsSecurity & Defence Read →
- 9 September 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer supported the Sri Lanka-UAE Agreement, arguing that Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE, had previously assisted Sri Lanka through housing, health, education and equipment projects, but that smear campaigns and distrust had driven away investors and reduced tourist arrivals. He said the Government was working to restore investor confidence and rebuild economic growth. He also condemned the suffering in Gaza as a humanitarian issue, recalled the impact of the COVID-19 cremation policy on Muslims, and called for responsible media conduct and cross-party support for action against narcotics and underworld networks. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates on Investment Promotion and Protection Law & OrderForeign AffairsReligion & Culture Read →
- 22 August 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister raised a point of order concerning the recent hartal and the Sainthamaruthu issue. He stated that the hartal was held under the slogan “North and East are the Tamil homeland” and noted that the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress had supported it, while adding that discussions were ongoing with relevant parties regarding the Sainthamaruthu mosque matter. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionParliamentary ProcedureReligion & Culture Read →
- 19 August 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister spoke in support of the debate on regulations under the Foreign Exchange Act and Public Debt Management Act, and the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, while responding to recent political claims by the Opposition. He rejected reports of government MPs crossing over and criticized Opposition references to “mafias,” saying such networks had developed under their own past political activity. He also said the recent hartal in the North and East had failed, argued that people were rejecting divisive politics, and urged political actors not to misuse religion in local political campaigns. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Corruption & Governance ReformReligion & CultureEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →